Seibers visits Washington D.C. with Rural Service Youth Tour

Skyler Seibers is touring the nation’s capital and learning about how to make rural communities better.

By Rachel Auberger

Skyler Seibers, a White County High School rising senior, will be traveling to Washington D.C. as part of the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour.

Over 100 students from across the country joined the Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour, in Washington, D.C., that began June 1 and continues through June 5. Over four days, they will explore the city, hear from experts at the Federal Communications Commission and Congress, and discuss how to make rural communities better.

Seibers was chosen as one of the two student representatives from Tennessee through a contest hosted by Ben Lomand Connect this spring.

“I participated in an essay contest,” Seibers said. “I wrote about the ways high speed internet benefits me and my community and connects us to the rest of the world.”

Seibers’ essay was chosen, along with that of another student from Grundy County, as the winning paper by the telephone cooperative, and, as an award, he received a trip to the nation’s capital where he will have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the legislative and governmental processes that have an impact on rural communities.

“The purpose of the tour is to help youth have a better understanding of how rural cooperatives have an impact on the government and also how the government impacts us,” said Jennifer Turner, a Ben Lomand representative and chaperone for the two Tennessee students.

According to the Foundation for Rural Service, the tour aims to give students a look into education about the broadband industry as well legislative and governmental processes. Of course, there will also be an opportunity to visit famous historical sites including the U.S. Capitol, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, and various monuments.

“Hopefully the youth on the tour will also get to meet legislators and other key government figures while we are there,” said Turner.

Seibers, who will have his flight, hotel, and food sponsored by the telephone cooperative, said he is excited about the opportunity.

“I’ve been to D.C. before with the band, but I think this time I will have more opportunities to explore the capitol and see things I didn’t get to see before,” he said. “I’m also excited to make some new connections with people from other parts of the country, and I think it will be amazing if I get to meet some of the senators and representatives.”

The Foundation for Rural Service hopes the trip is a life-changing experience for all those involved.